Former WBA heavyweight champion Haye, who will play out his own all-British showdown when he touches gloves with Tyson Fury at Manchester's MEN Arena on September 28, believes unbeaten Groves is more than ready to face 'The Cobra'.

"If George Groves isn't ready now when will he be ready?" Haye told skysports.com. "Who does he have to beat before people say he is ready?

"He is ranked number one behind him, so who else should he fight? There aren't many people out there either, so if he's not ready now, he'll never be ready."

In his last outing, Groves successfully overcame the challenge of Noe Gonzalez Alcoba - a fight which featured on Froch's epic revenge victory over old rival Mikkel Kessler at the O2 Arena.

Groves is now mandatory challenger to Froch's IBF title - and with the 36-year-old Nottingham fighter recently stating he would rather fight the Londoner than vacate his belt, Haye insists it would be a close contest to call if the pair should meet.

"They have both got the capabilities of beating each other," Haye added. "It's down to the one who sticks to his guns and does it right on the night.

"George is definitely improving all the time. He's maturing as a man as well and I think this will be a great fight for him. He doesn't need to tell me why he can win. I know his style and I know Carl's style and I know how both of them could win it."